Responding to growing calls for a moratorium on wind energy development in Canada pending results of a Health Canada study, the Canadian Wind Energy Association (CanWEA) says such actions are not warranted.

The balance of scientific and medical evidence to date clearly concludes that sound from wind turbines does not adversely impact human health, notes CanWEA.

"The vast majority of Canadians choose wind energy as a top source for clean and safe new electricity. When discussing an issue as important as our energy future we must look at the facts. It is clear that the balance of research and experience to date - including hundreds of thousands of people living and working near wind turbines in 89 countries around the world - concludes that wind energy does not adversely impact human health," says Chris Forrest, CanWEA's vice president of communications.

These conclusions are backed by a growing body of work, including reports by Ontario’s chief medical officer of health, and, most recently, an expert panel report to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and the Department of the Environment.

CanWEA notes that an Oracle Research poll conducted this year found that 78% of Ontarians believe that wind energy is one of the safest forms of electricity generation.

"Wind energy is broadly understood to be one of the safest and most environmentally friendly forms of electricity generation around the world. The wind energy industry is working collaboratively with all levels of government and stakeholders to ensure jobs, investments and affordable clean energy continue flowing into communities across the country,” says Forrest. “A moratorium would prevent thousands of individuals, landowners and dozens of municipalities and First Nations groups from participating in the clean energy economy.”